IPAD HOW TO FOR NEW USERS

Congratulations on your new IPAD. Now that you have unpacked the box, please make sure that you have located the charger and connecting plug. The first thing you should do is plug the charging plug into the IPAD and plug the other end into the charger. The larger plug is the proper plug to plug into the IPAD and the smaller is the plug you use to plug into the charger.

If you have used computers before I am sure that you noticed that the smaller plug is a standard USB connector. Unfortunately the IPAD cannot use the USB connection to charge from a computer. You must always use the IPAD charger to recharge the IPAD. The IPAD charger is a special 10-watt charger that has been designed specially for the IPAD. You van use that charger for lower power devices such as an IPOD or IPHONE but NOT visa-versa.

IPADs are usually shipped with less than a full charge so it is best to charge a new IPAD for 12 hours before using it for the first time. After charging is complete an IPAD must be connected to a computer running ITUNES for registration and to receive the latest updates for the IPAD software. Please make sure that your copy of ITUNES is the latest version before you start the registration process.

Registration is a simple but somewhat time consuming procedure. If your version of ITUNES has been set up to recognize an IPOD automatically, it will recognize an IPAD as well. Once the USB connector is plugged into the computer, ITUNES will start and you will be prompted to enter data required by registration program. Typically this will require entry of an Apple user name (or creation of an account if this is the first device you are registering). If you are doing an initial registration please be ready to provide a credit card account number. Apple uses this data to bill you for applications sent to your IPAD. This data must be present even for free “Apps” to be acquired.

The registration program checks to make sure that your IPAD has the latest software. If an update is required, the program automatically backs up the data on the IPAD to ITUNES and then updates the software. After this process is completed, you will have the opportunity to transfer some or all ITUNES music to your IPAD. Once the transfer is complete, you will be able to eject the IPAD from your computer.

Once registration has been accomplished, “apps”, books and music can be purchased without a connection to an ITUNES equipped computer. However all material purchased in this manner will be lost if the IPAD is lost or damaged without being backed up. It is therefore a good policy to periodically connect the IPAD to ITUNES on your computer and do the backup.

Your IPAD is designed to connect to the Internet with a W-IFI connection. For additional cost, the IPAD can also connect to a cellular network. To determine if your IPAD has the additional cellular radio, tap the settings icon. If your IPAD has the cellular connectivity option there will be a “cellular data” setting in addition to the WI-FI setting. If you have access to a WI-FI hotspot, you do not need to set up cellular data information.

If you need to set up a cellular data connection, keep in mind that the connection is NOT free. The connection is provided by AT&T which offers 2 monthly plans; 250MB for $14.99 or 2GB for $25.00. If you are not sure which plan is best for you pick the lowest price option. If you start to exceed the data allowed, AT&T will notify you and offer the higher cost plan. You can cancel these plans at any time. The rates quoted are for domestic use only. AT&T offers higher cost plans for travel abroad. Instructions, to set up the cellular data plan are available on line from support.apple.com.

To set up your WI-FI connection, tap settings and then Wi-Fi. The IPAD will display a list of all networks that it can hear. Select your network name. If you do not see a network and you have LaPosada service, contact computer support by dialing FAST (3278). A technician will assist you in creating a Wi-Fi hotspot. La Posada maintains public WI-FI hotspots at Posada Java, LaPerla and LaVista libraries, and the Fitness Pavilion multi media room.

On Wednesdays at 4.00PM a users group meets at the Fitness Pavilion multi media room to discuss IPAD and e-reader problems and solutions.